My father Michael Cabrera was born on May 8th 1949
in Havana Cuba to a mother and father by the name of
Roberto and Fidelina Cabrera. My father was an only
child in the home. (There was a half-brother older that
was from a previous relationship of my grandfather's.)
My father seemed to be a very happy child. Vibrant,
joyful and very loved. Noticeable through the pictures
taken and family accounts.
He adored his father... the moon Rose and set with
him. Unfortunately at the ripe age of 9 my father lost
his dad. And this was a very tragic and traumatic loss,
changing my father in many ways.
My father said he recalls the loss of his dad as one
of the most painful experiences of his life...if not the
most. His family reports that he changed after my
grandfather's death and never was quite the same.
In his teen years my grandmother allowed for my
father to be sent through the Peter Pan movement
from Cuba to the US. It was also another trial in my
father's life as his mother would stay behind for yet
another year or so.
I don't know much about the time between then and
him meeting my mom, except for that when I would
ask him he said "I was someone who stayed out of
trouble I didn't smoke, drink or do any drugs...really had
no vices. Except for fast cars!" And I can tell you that;
that is the truth he was a driver at heart... I'd like to
think that I got that from him. (Thanks dad)
When my father met my mother they dated for
approximately two years before their marriage. I look at
the wedding pictures now and really do see how very
in love they both were... it's very beautiful to see that
the love once existed between them.
Five years after marriage and plenty of time together
they welcomed a little girl Olivia( that would be
me) and 5 years later they welcomed a little boy
Christopher. And with that the family was complete.
My parents lived in New Jersey which is where I was
born but by the time my mother was pregnant with my
brother we moved to Tampa and that is where we have
all resided ever since.
My parents marriage was not an easy one my father
was a very strong bull, stubborn and bitter about life's
circumstances. Not able to let go of his past so that he
could rise up and live freely and with joy in the present
of his life, marriage and parenthood. As a result this
took a toll on all of us.
My parents divorced when I was just shy of 18 my
brother 13 after 23 years of marriage... a quarter of
a lifetime. This was difficult, but for me it was also
a relief because there was no love in our household
anymore.
The years following relationships were strained all
across the board in our immediate family. It was
difficult because my brother and I had wonderful
memories of my father... when my father was good he
was great... the best. But when he was in a bad frame
of mind so was everyone else and he had become
accustomed to living in that frame of mind for a very
long time.
The turning point in my father's life was when he met
the Lord Jesus Christ receiving his word in his heart
and becoming a Christian. It changed him in a way that
only our heavenly father could!
My father's coming to Jesus moment was a powerful
life-changing moment. My father became lighthearted.
Didn't desire to control things as much, and really
did learn to just go with the flow. My brother and I's
relationship with him begin to restore (as those of you
who are believers know the Bible says would happen).
In time my brother and I were able to see the Dad
we had always wanted. A father who in my brother's
words "loved so deeply and emotionally it could sometimes
feel overbearing" and I can tell you that it sometimes
was. But, I tell you this...I would give anything to
feel your overbearing love just one more day Dad.
My brother and I both had unique relationships with
my father. After we had our children and he became a
grandfather (which was one of the greatest highlights
of his life by the way)we began to spend even more
time with him.
About 2 years after my son's birth in 2015 my father
was diagnosed with 4th stage kidney failure. It was
a terrifying moment... I remember taking him to the
hospital and feeling so afraid. And he said "don't be
afraid...everything is going to be okay...don't cry! That
was my dad he always put everyone else's feelings
first.
Our father is one of the strongest, most courageous
people I have ever known.
Despite this debilitating disease, 3 days a week of
dialysis for 3 years and lots of suffering. My dad still
had the courage to smile, because that's just who my
dad was. No matter what was going on in his own life
he put others first.
I can tell you for me that my father was one of my best
friends. He was always there for us. No matter what
we needed, no matter the time, the place or circumstance
he would be there because in my brother's
words "he was a man of his word!" I would always say
if my brother or I called my father and told him "dad
we're stuck on the moon... he would say... don't worry, I
will find a rocket and come and get you." And we would
take comfort in that because we knew he would.
We knew that no matter what the circumstance he
would not judge. That he would never be critical...
perhaps disappointed.
To me that was the beauty of my dad. It was easy to
be yourself around him because he loved us "Just The
Way We are"! Truly and from the bottom of his heart
with all of our imperfections and shortcomings he still
thought the world of us.
My brother and I's children have suffered a great loss.
He was a wonderful grandfather. I took Joy in watching
him with my son and nephew because I saw in him
what I had always wished I had seen in him as we were
growing up. It is a treasure in our hearts to know that
our children know what an amazing grandfather they
had and that he will be with us wherever we may go.
I leave you with this beautiful saying
" death leaves a heartache that no one can heal... but
LOVE leaves a memory that no one can steal!!
Farewell pop...until we meet again
My father is survived by children, grandchildren,
cousins, godchildren and friends. God Bless us all!
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